Countdown to Ole Miss football 2018 - No. 95

Only 95 days until Ole Miss kicks off the 2018 season in Houston, Tex. against the Texas Tech Red Raiders, there is a palpable hue of anticipation in the deepest darkest corners of Ole Miss fandom. And that same anticipation came with our No. 95 Rebel of the Day, Benito Jones, upon his arrival to campus.

The No. 25 overall recruit in his class according to 247Sports Composite Rankings straight out of Waynesboro, Miss. was an Under Armour All American defensive tackle and 5A Defensive Player of the Year in the Magnolia state.

His 6’2, 285-pound frame looked ready for the rigors of SEC play, and he quickly cracked into the defensive line rotation. Jones even overcame an unfortunate injury scare last season en route to another stellar year in the trenches, tallying 29 tackles.

Jones has tallied 68 tackles in his first two seasons at Ole Miss, showing explosiveness off the line to beat opposing offensive linemen with speed AND power. He was named a freshman All American and the No. 1 nose tackle in the country by Phil Steele, showing his potential and promise for the Rebel defensive line.

The defensive front will need his experience and leadership in the 2018 season as he will undoubtedly start as a space eater in the middle of the line. The two-time letter winner will have more unproven counterparts flanking him this year, and it will be his time to shine.

The No. 95 Rebel of the Day, soak it in — Benito Jones.